Tue, 24 Apr 2018 18:59:39 -0400WeeblyTue, 25 Mar 2014 18:54:35 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/my-students-homework-is-to-eatHello! This week we are working on reading music - focusing on rhythm. One of the things we discuss is what different note values look like and their relationships to each other. I have assigned an unconventional homework assignment this week - so when your student tells you that they need to order pizza for dinner, they aren't completely lying :)

We are discussing rhythmic values: whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes. The whole note looks like a circle. The other notes are taken from within that circle.

I have asked that at some point before next week students should eat something circular with their families for dinner. Your student should cut the circular food item into 16 equal parts and discuss rhythm with you and your family.

This is a fun activity that gets the whole family involved in discussing what we are learning in music class. Enjoy the pizza, cookie, cake, quesadilla, etc. and a great conversation with your family about music and rhythm notation!]]>Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:51:02 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/the-gms-chorus-is-attending-the-micca-festivalThe GMS Chorus is attending the MICCA Festival for the first time ever this year! The Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Festival is a state-wide festival that hosts middle school, high school and elementary choirs, orchestras and bands from across MA throughout the weekend of April 4th at multiple locations. Leading adjudicators from across the nation are brought in to listen to and provide feedback to participating ensembles. Here is the information for the MICCA Choral Festival that the GMS Chorus is attending:

Families should definitely come and support their student and our choir by attending the performance at 4:20pm. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door: $8 adults / $5 students.]]>Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:14:28 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/general-music-homework-policyWe are having such a smooth start to the 3rd Trimester of the school year and are underway in General Music! Students will have homework assignments regularly throughout the trimester. Here is an overview of the written homework assignment grading policy we use in class:

- Written homework assignments reinforce concepts studied in class, so there is rarely "new" material on a homework assignment.

- Written homework assignment grades are generated based on completion so students are not earning grades that will "lower their average" while learning or reinforcing new concepts.

- Homework assignments that are fully completed at the beginning of the class they are checked by the teacher earn a 100%.

- Homework assignments that are not fully completed or not done at all at the beginning of the class they are checked by the teacher earn a 0%.

- Homework assignment grades that are a 0% may be changed to an 80% when the student shares the completed assignment with the teacher.

- It is the responsibility of the student to share the completed, late assignment to the teacher - the student will not be repeatedly asked for the assignment.

- Homework assignments may be turned in late at any point before the completion of the unit / before the unit exam.]]>Thu, 13 Mar 2014 18:48:43 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/welcome-to-trimester-3Hello students and families of students who are taking General Music for the 3rd and final trimester of the 2013-2014 school year! Your student began their 3rd Trimester classes yesterday and today - and if you are here now, then they are taking General Music this term.

This course will focus on music literary and performance skills. We will learn how to academically articulate our responses to music, how to read and write music, and how to play a variety of musical instruments.

Please check in with this website, particularly on the General Music Page and with this blog, as often as you like! The General Music page has resources to help students reinforce what we are working on in class and this blog is usually updated every couple of weeks - informing you of what we are working on in class and what large assignments (projects and tests) are coming in the near future.

I'm looking forward to getting to know your student!]]>Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:22:44 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/listening-to-music-for-homeworkStudents in General Music will have many different types of homework throughout the trimester. Sometimes it is more "standard" homework, where students are asked to fill out worksheets and do pencil and paper work. However there will also be times when they are required to make and/or listen to music for homework.

One of our current, on-going homework assignments is to listen to and make music. I have asked students to do this with any type of music they prefer - hoping that this will motivate them to actually do their homework.

Students are being asked to listen to whatever type of music they would like to, and then clap and speak the different rhythmic patterns that we are working on in class.

So if your student tells you that they need to listen to music for homework, they are telling the truth. :) With that said, you should also be able to hear them clap and count while they listen. And if your student is not listening to music and clapping and counting, a friendly reminder to do so from you can help them keep up with what we are learning in class.

Thanks!]]>Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:27:59 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/general-music-2nd-trimester-homework-grading-policyWe have had a smooth start to the second trimester of the school year and are underway in General Music! Students will have homework assignments throughout the trimester. Here is an overview of the written homework assignment grading policy we use in class:

- Written homework assignments reinforce concepts studied in class, so there is rarely "new" material on a homework assignment.

- Written homework assignment grades are generated based on completion so students are not earning grades that will "lower their average" while learning or reinforcing new concepts.

- Homework assignments that are fully completed at the beginning of the class they are checked by the teacher earn a 100%.

- Homework assignments that are not fully completed or not done at all at the beginning of the class they are checked by the teacher earn a 0%.

- Homework assignment grades that are a 0% may be changed to an 80% when the student shares the completed assignment with the teacher.

- It is the responsibility of the student to share the completed, late assignment to the teacher - the student will not be repeatedly asked for the assignment.

- Homework assignments may be turned in late at any point before the completion of the unit.]]>Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:32:54 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/welcome-back1Welcome back and welcome to 2014!

I am very excited to be making music with the students again! General Music is going to be working on reading and writing using standard rhythmic notation. Chorus will begin new repertoire to start the spring and get ready for the state festival/competition: MICCA (coming up in early April)!]]>Mon, 09 Dec 2013 16:11:21 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/trimester-2-beginsThis month marked the beginning of Trimester 2 and all GMS students are now in their "new" trimester courses. There are many of you beginning 7th Grade General Music right now and I am so excited to get to know everyone!

We began last Monday with establishing course and classroom expectations. Students should be collecting their class supplies, which include: · Pencil with an eraser · A 1-inch, hard covered Three-Ring Binder with pockets in the sides · 5 Dividers to organize the units/sections studied in class · Headphones with an 1/8” plug (typical headphones for an mp3 player/phone) - these will not be brought to class everyday

We are also beginning making music by doing some African drumming! The students are learning 2 songs this week to learn how to drum as well as work on rhythm skills. Students will be checking in with this website to watch some online videos/podcasts and play with some cool virtual drum websites!]]>Tue, 26 Nov 2013 13:41:12 GMThttp://gibbonsmusic.weebly.com/parentguardian-blog/gms-winter-concert-seasonHello and Happy Holidays! Thanksgiving is only a few days away and when the students return to school the Winter Concert Season will only be a few days away too!